WILD HORSE AND BURRO ROUNDUPS
The truth behind the capture
**A Balanced Approach to Wild Horse Management**
While not everyone may agree with my position, the humane treatment of wild horses and burros is a major concern for me. Leaving these animals in an area that can no longer support them is a form of cruelty. The land must have the capacity to nourish and sustain wildlife; when it can’t, something must be done. That said, I do not believe complete removal should be the primary option. Instead, relocation to a Herd Area (HA) that has been zeroed out, where the land is healthier and more sustainable, should be prioritized. This ensures that horses can live on suitable, protected lands while avoiding the need for drastic measures like long-term confinement in pens or, worse, mass removal. True compassion for these animals involves finding balanced, ethical solutions that protect both the horses and their ecosystems. Too often, removal is seen as the easiest fix, but a more humane approach—through relocation and habitat restoration—can be far more effective in preserving both the wild horses and the landscapes they call home.
**A Statement on Transparency and the Need for Humane Wild Horse Management**
Removal should always be viewed as a last resort, with every possible alternative thoroughly explored first. Wild horses and their families are an integral part of our natural landscape, and we are obligated to protect them in a way that respects their dignity and their role in the ecosystem. If removal becomes necessary, I believe ( and I believe Wild Horse Annie also felt this way, that’s why she approved helicopter use during roundups) that helicopters, when operated by skilled pilots and contractors who follow the **CAWP (Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program) protocols**, can be the safest and least traumatic method of gathering these animals. However, it is fundamental that these operations are conducted with true empathy and concern for the welfare of the horses and their families. There is a critical difference between humane, regulated removal and the reckless, stress-inducing methods we too often see today. Unfortunately, not all contractors or even some BLM personnel adhere to these high standards. Many have shown little regard for the impact their actions have on the mental and physical health of the Wild Horses and Burros during roundups. This negligence contributes significantly to the trauma experienced by these animals—and often leaves them far more difficult for adopters to gentle or train. Many end up needing rehomed or end up in kill pen auctions. If stricter CAWP policies were enacted into law, and severe consequences implemented for those who fail to follow these protocols, we could ensure that roundups are conducted with the utmost care and that these horses are returned to a more humane, adoptable condition. After all, the long-term success of a wild horse adoption program hinges on the animals’ ability to bond with their adopters—not to remain fearful or traumatized. The future of America’s wild horses depends on increased transparency, accountability, and prioritizing their welfare at every step of the process. Let’s work to ensure that we handle these majestic creatures with the dignity and respect they deserve.
**The Inhumane Treatment of Wild Horses: A Call for Accountability**
The unfortunate reality is that the welfare of wild horses and burros seems to not be the primary concern of the very agency entrusted with their protection. Whether before, during, or after roundups, it’s increasingly clear that the treatment of these animals is neglectful at every stage. From the moment they’re rounded up, to their time confined in overcrowded holding facilities, and even during the adoption process, it seems the primary objective is simply to remove the horses—without any genuine commitment to their long-term well-being. At holding facilities, the evidence is clear: many wild horses are dying without the necessary care and attention. The adoption process is just as bleak, with a startling lack of compliance checks and follow-up, leaving horses to be sent to homes that are ill-equipped to care for them. The adoption incentive program, which was intended to place these wild animals into suitable homes, has failed—leading to an increasing number of horses ending up in kill pens, where their chances of survival dwindle further. It seems as though the core principle of protection has been forgotten. These horses are not just animal commodities—they are living beings, protected and valued by law, irrespective of personal feelings about their place in the world. Herded into barbaric systems with the sole objective of removal, these animals are now suffering the consequences of inhumane treatment at every stage. It is time to demand change and the enforcement of humane solutions for managing wild horses.
THE OVERTURN OF THE AIP
Is the “overturn” of the Adoption Incentive Program a positive win or will it cause more horses to go to the kill pens?
The BLM is rapidly pushing mustangs through the Online Corral, and after being passed over three times, they will be designated as Sale Authority horses. With the loss of the Adoption Incentive Program (AIP), a critical question arises—how many mustangs will be bypassed and left vulnerable to uncertain futures? Without proper safeguards and responsible placements, these horses face an increased risk of falling into the wrong hands, including the slaughter pipeline. This rushed process highlights the urgent need for ethical, long-term solutions that prioritize the well-being of America’s wild horses.
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What are the adverse impacts to the taxpayer due to grazing private livestock on public lands? Include the annual costs for each major component. Include annual costs for the removal of native wild horses and burros from public lands and extrapolate the results over the prior 25 and 50 year prior time period. Then, estimate future cost savings for 25 and 50 years without grazing on public lands.